The hospital was ranked among the best in eight pediatric specialties – the most it has ever received. Arnold Palmer Medical Center ranked:• #41 in cardiology and heart surgery• #41 in diabetes and endocrinology• #36 in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery• #22 in neonatology• #47 in neurology and neurosurgery• #17 in orthopedics• #26 in pulmonology• #27 in urology

Kathy Swanson, president of Arnold Palmer Medical Center, credits U.S. News’ intensified focus on patient outcomes, nursing quality, and low infection rates for the hospital’s high number of ranked specialties this year. She says “it is a tremendous honor to be recognized as one of U.S. News’ Best Children’s Hospitals and this year is even more special because of the number of specialties included in the rankings. We want our families to know they are receiving top-notch care when they come to Arnold Palmer Medical Center, and the rankings validate the energy our team has put into improving care for the children and families of Central Florida over the past 25 years. We are grateful for the work of our amazing physicians and team members because it is their dedication that has allowed us to be recognized as one of the best places for children’s care in Florida and the country.”

Arnold Palmer, golf legend and namesake for the hospital, says "I am so proud of what has been accomplished at the hospitals over the past 25 years. It is always a privilege to know that we are making a difference in the lives of families throughout the community. Receiving this designation as one of the best children's hospitals is an honor that reflects the highest level of care that our doctors, nurses and other team members provide each day."

U.S. News introduced the Best Children’s Hospitals rankings in 2007 to help families of sick children find the best medical care available. The rankings open the door to an array of detailed information about each hospital’s performance.

Five-sixths of each hospital’s score relied on patient outcomes and the care-related resources each hospital makes available. To gather clinical data, U.S. News sent a clinical questionnaire to 183 pediatric hospitals. The remaining one-sixth of the score derived from a survey of 1,500 pediatric specialists and subspecialists in each specialty over three years. The 1,500 physicians were asked where they would send the sickest children in their specialty, setting aside location and expense.

“Every Best Children’s Hospital deserves high praise,” said U.S. News Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. “We know how important it is to parents to have confidence in pediatric centers that show dedication and expertise in caring for a child facing a life-threatening, rare or demanding illness.”

ARNOLD PALMER HOSPITAL for CHILDREN Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, is a 158-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of children. Located in Orlando, Arnold Palmer Hospital provides expertise in pediatric specialties such as cardiac care, craniomaxillofacial surgery, emergency and trauma care, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, hematology/oncology, orthopedics, pulmonology and sports medicine. In 2013, the hospital achieved Magnet® designation, the “gold standard” for nursing’s contribution to quality patient care, safety, research, and service excellence. Visit www.arnoldpalmerhospital.com to learn more about all of our specialties.

WINNIE PALMER HOSPITAL for WOMEN & BABIESWinnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, is a 285-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of women and babies. As part of Arnold Palmer Medical Center, the hospital is Magnet®-designated for its commitment to quality patient care, safety, research, and service excellence. It is a leader in neonatal intensive care, and comprehensive healthcare for women throughout all stages of life, providing a wide range of services in obstetric and gynecologic care. Winnie Palmer Hospital has been recognized as an Academic Center of Excellence in minimally invasive surgery. Its highly-trained physicians utilize the most advanced technology to effectively treat the vast majority of gynecologic conditions with fewer complications and faster recoveries. The hospital also includes comprehensive fetal diagnostics, labor and delivery services, maternal intensive care, and the largest center for neonatal intensive care in the world. Annually, more than 13,000 babies are expected to be born at Winnie Palmer Hospital, making it one of the busiest in the country. The hospital also ranks in the top 10 percent nationally for patient satisfaction. To learn more, visit www.winniepalmerhospital.com or www.accordingtowinnie.com.